JOE O'GORMAN: Local hockey teams ready to go after winter break

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Before we get too far into 2013, it’s probably a good idea to clean out the notebook.

•How happy will Princeton be to finally get on the ice today? The Tigers, who are 1-4-1 in their last six games, have not played a game since Dec. 21 against Ocean Township. With practice time at a premium, the Little Tigers might be a tad rusty when they meet West Windsor-Plainsboro South. Somehow you get the feeling they are ready to make a great run the rest of the way.

•There is one plus for the Little Tigers. Hopefully, some of the nagging injuries have healed, and Matt DiTostoback on the ice would be a welcome sight.

•There is no doubt that one of the best games in the Colonial Valley Conference this year was last week’s tilt between Notre Dame and Robbinsville. As we get into the final stretch of the season, the Irish have established themselves as the top CVC teamand one of the best in the state.

•One of the great things about ND-Robbinsville was the desire to compete at a high level by both teams. When you have Kellen Anker in one goal and Stephen Anderson in the other, it just amps up the excitement.

•Lawrence, which has been very impressive, is off now for 14 days because of the Hamilton situation. The Cardinals (7-4-1, 3-4-1 CVC) can pick up a game to replace the Hornets, but with Feb. 11 the closing date for entries, do they want to chance not qualifying for the states?

•The Cardinals by far have been the surprise of the season and, along with Steinert and Hightstown they are going to make for a very exciting Patriot Division title chase. It just might come down to Steinert and Lawrence on the last game of the regular season.

•Since the Hornets have been brought into the conversation, wouldn’t it be better to declare the season over and award every team on the schedule a forfeit? I commend the Hamilton players who are continuing to practice. Certainly, everyone wishes they could have been assigned to another team — especially the seniors, but that is not happening. The school, the Hamilton school board, the league and the state have to get together over the next year to come up with a merger plan to help these schools that struggle for numbers.

•West Windsor-Plainsboro North and South will meet tomorrow in the annual David Bachner Foundation game at Lawrenceville. Although not a hockey player,Bachner was one of the best left-handed pitchers ever in Mercer County and he was the epitome of a high school athlete. It’s a great game, a great chance to remember Bachner and a chance to help the Foundation continue his legacy.

•Next week is showdown week among the local preps. Princeton Day will travel to Lawrenceville on Wednesday and then on Friday they will host Hun. The Panthers have gone 3-0 since the Barber Tournament and have outscored the opposition 15-3. La Salle (12-1), which was the AAA champion in Pennsylvania last year, is coming to McGraw today for a 5:30 p.m. face off.

•Why does it seem the first game at Mercer County Park always starts late? Speaking of things at the Park, the officiating has been among the best.They are letting the kids decide the game and at the same time keeping the game under control.

•ND got a nice win at St. Joe’s when Connor Todaro recorded a hat trick and Anderson had 32 saves. Todaro, who is making a run at the Player of the Year award, assisted on the other Irish goal.

•One of the features we’d like to incorporate into the weekly notebook is to highlight a youth team each week. This would be just for leagues under high school age. This would allow all the hockey fans out there to get a glimpse of the talent on the way to the high school level.

•Lawrenceville will be looking to snap a five-game losing streak when it heads to Hill tomorrow.

•WW-P South will be tested in the next few games. After Princeton, there’s a pair with WW-P North, Hopewell and Lawrence before Princeton again. At 4-4, it appears the Pirates state tourney future could be decided during that stretch.

•Those headed to the states look to be Notre Dame (11-0), Robbinsville (7-3-1), WW-P North (8-4-1) and Lawrence (7-4-1). There are quite a few teams on the bubble. Princeton (3-4-1), WW-P South (4-4), Hightstown (4-6), Hopewell Valley (3-7) and Steinert (3-7-1) all have a shot to qualify, but every game the rest of the way takes on a new meaning.

•If Hun enters the Mercer County Tournament, there’s a good chance it will be the No. 2 seed. If the Independence League playoffs allow for the Raiders to get in the MCT, it would also be a great opportunity for Pennington. It is a very young team and it would be a great experience.

•Academy of the New Church invades Iceland today for an Independence League showdown with Hun. The Raiders will need to finish a little better than this week’s 3-3 tie with Haverford. Hun is a very talented team and will be in that race all the way.

•Also, in the Independence League Pennington will end their month hiatus. The Red Raiders will face Germantown at Iceland at 6 p.m.

•The Lawrenceville girls got back to work with a shutout of Portledge, 5-0. The Big Red heads to Kent tomorrow.

•This is just my second year covering high school hockey, and I have to say I have been very impressed with several aspects. Knowing the hours these kids are required to practice and the cost involved, I have commend their commitment and dedication to the sport. The coaches have the same dedication and willingness to teach the game, and that is refreshing to see. We have some of the highest level of prep school hockey in the Northeast, and it is only getting better. While there might be a few other areas of the state where the league is a little more talented, no one can knock the desire and commitment of the kids — and coaches — in Mercer County.